Mimolette Cheese vs Washed Rind Cheese

Mimolette Cheese is a smooth, creamy body cow-milk cheese from France, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.

What Is Mimolette Cheese?

Mimolette is a hard, bright orange cow's milk cheese made around Lille in northern France. It is sold at several ages, from young wheels that taste like Parmesan to extra-old ones with a hazelnut flavor and a grey, mite-worked rind.

What Is Washed Rind Cheese?

Washed-rind cheese, also called smear-ripened, is cured over and over with brine or mold-bearing agents as it ripens. That feeds Brevibacterium linens on the surface, which gives the cheese its pungent smell, firm rind and distinctive flavor.

What's the Difference Between Mimolette Cheese and Washed Rind Cheese?

• Texture: Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body), Washed Rind Cheese (soft to hard)
• Rind: Mimolette Cheese (Natural), Washed Rind Cheese (washed, firm)
• Taste: Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel), Washed Rind Cheese (pungent, distinctive)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mimolette Cheese Taste Like Washed Rind Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive character. On the nose, Mimolette Cheese offers butterscotch, contrasted with Washed Rind Cheese's pungent.

Can You Substitute Mimolette Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese can stand in for Washed Rind Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect smooth, creamy body bite and body where the recipe calls for soft to hard. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive notes.

Which Is Better, Mimolette Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth, creamy body cheese, go with Mimolette Cheese. For a soft to hard profile, Washed Rind Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes, while Washed Rind Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent, distinctive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mimolette Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Mimolette Cheese similar to Washed Rind Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Mimolette Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Mimolette Cheese taste like Washed Rind Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Washed Rind Cheese is pungent, distinctive. Aromas also diverge. Mimolette Cheese leans butterscotch, and Washed Rind Cheese is closer to pungent.

What is Mimolette Cheese made of?

Mimolette Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 weeks to 24 months. It originates in France.

What is Washed Rind Cheese made of?

Washed Rind Cheese is made from milk.

Which should I choose, Mimolette Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.